Reservoir shocks

Just wondering if any users on here have any experience with resevoir shocks from fox, icon or King. I installed 5100's all around leveled an inch in the front. They have been a huge improvement over the stock sr5 shocks, however I'm still looking for better small bump compliance and a slightly smoother ride. Any advice?

 

Rear reservoir shocks on my 13 TRD Baja, and the worked well. Never overheated on long washboard roads. About to put that system on my 17 TRD OR.

 

How was the ride quality compared to stock?

 

Am also looking for small bump compliance.

 

Reservoirs don't effect the ride under normal conditions. Their sole purpose is to hold more fluid and the point of more fluid is to prevent over heating which results in shock fade. So small bump compliance on streets won't be effected by reservoirs. The biggest driving factors for that will be spring rate and damping force. If you want a super plush ride even for small bumps on the road your best bet is to get something with adjusters and turn the damping all the way down. It'll probably sway and float but small bump compliance will be maximized. You'd want to turn it back up if you plan to do any serious offroading and anything where you'd be hitting stuff hard. With damping turned all the way down you'll blow through the stroke quick.

 

As far as suspension goes, a combo of shocks AND springs are what will impact your ride quality the most... then you have tires, etc.

Just don't get wrapped around the axle on shocks alone. (pun intended)

 

Agree w/ @Doggman and @smitty99

On another marquee I ran springs that were about 4x stiffer than OE, with 16 position dampers. They also had threaded shock bodies for variable perch adjusting, and the shock bodies were internally threaded to allow for some length adjustment to comply with the spring choices, preventing over extensions or bottoming out.

Once I got that all set up and the vehicle corner weighted (very different than the idea of 'leveling' and all that), I could make the ride a bit more compliant (but not Caddy mushy) for say a highway cruise, yet tighten them up enough to prevent wheel hop on hard launches on race days.

Yeah, I know that's not a truck suspension. Point is, every choice we make with mods is some form of compromise. If it enhances one characteristic, it's often at the expense of another. But the more 'flexible' the mod is, say with adjustability of suspension components, the more likely you'll enjoy the product you bought.

 

So true and often overlooked. You can't have it all, at least when it comes to performance vs street. That's been the goal of my build. Get as much performance as possible while maintaining street comfort.

 

So.. What suspension did you get?

 

Kings but only leveled the front - left them on the setting they came with. Stock UCAs, no lift in the rear. Rolling on C load 265s. My goal was achieved in my opinion. Rides better than stock on the street with zero negative side effects. Performs significantly better offroad of course.

 

If I'm moving to E load 255/80/17 am I even going to be able to appreciate the kings?

 

I would think Kings with those tires >>> those tires with stock suspension

 

Most likely. Not really in the question for me though.

 

Even more...
I seen lot of them offered with valving for added tire weight. Whether it comes like that stock or is vendor specified, I do not know.

 

Now this is interesting. I'll bring it up with Marie.

 

Kings come with standard valving to best suit multiple driving styles and the weight of the truck. Any custom valving will need to be special ordered. Often you can opt for a different spring weight for up front, 600, 650, or 700lbs. The compression adjusters offer great adjustability on the stiffness of your ride, and able one to go from floaty on the street to being able to soak up the big bumps off road.

@DRAWN the reason you are feeling all the small bumps around town is becuase bilstiens utlilize digressive valving, so they are meant to feel stiffer at slower speeds, same as Icon. Kings and Fox shocks are progressive valved, meaning the faster you drive, the more you feel the bumps. All the big brand can handle the big name shocks can handle the big bumps, just a matter of how they are translated to driving feel.

For the record, I have kings all the way around with compression adjusters, stock UCA's, stock leafs, and sumo springs in the back on 265 c loads. I love my ride.

If I want soft and comfy ride, I adjust the clickers to the softest setting and cruise. If I am carrying extra weight or going for road, dial them up knowing they can handle the rough stuff.

Note: all aftermarket shocks are going to be stiffer than stock, because they are designed to improve off road performance. Stock shocks will provide the smoothest on street ride.

Sorry for the long explanation. Hope it helps

 

Absolutely. C load vs E load isn't the most significant factor at work in the equation, especially when Kings are the mix.

 

Tires are the first step in suspension. They are what is in direct contact with the bump. The tire then transmits the change of load to the springs and the shocks dampen the spring. If you have a harder tire you will feel every tiny bump and expansion joint. No shock helps that. A softer tire with a thinner carcass (P rated) helps that. On the bigger bumps like a speed bump or washboard, the Kings will definitely help. The reservoir on the shock will help reduce heat only if you go over hundreds of speed bumps or are higher speed off road on humps and wash board.

 

I won't run E rated tires just simply for the added weight how that affects shifting and performance (acceleration and fuel economy)...really not a necessity for a light truck.

 

i have the Pro Fox stuff and recently went on a long washboard road that would have chattered my teeth out and run my truck to pieces. did it with the family in the truck and nobody even complained it was washboard. about 2mi each way at 40-45 and no fade. that wasn't too terribly long, but the extreme comfort, control, and lack of fade definitely impressed me. quality, no doubt.